Art and change: Lausitz in the focus of a unique special exhibition

Art and change: Lausitz in the focus of a unique special exhibition

Lusatia is currently playing a central role in the country's cultural and economic transformation. The special exhibition “Typically Lausitz” opened in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz District Museum in Senftenberg on July 15, 2025, presenting the region’s diverse artistic heritage on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Lausitz Art Collection. The exhibition features 70 works that document the structural change in Lusatia over four decades. Jenny Linke, the museum's spokeswoman, emphasizes that many works, including drawings, graphics and sculptures, are being exhibited for the first time. Particularly noteworthy is a sculpture made from opencast wood, which underlines the art's connection to the region.

The exhibition contains exemplary works such as “Lost Places” by Michael Kruscha, which shows a coal mine and adjacent village buildings, and “Summer Garden Festival” by Harald Metzkes, which depicts happy people dancing. The Lausitz Art Collection houses over 2,500 works by around 200 artists, including well-known artists such as Carl Lohse and Elisabeth Wolf. Anyone who would like to be inspired by the region's eventful history and artistic diversity has the opportunity to visit this exciting exhibition until October 5, 2025.

The cultural heritage and the processes of change

The art collection grew between 2010 and 2022 through purchases and personal donations from artists. Artists such as Eckhard Böttger, Gudrun Bröchler-Neumann and Klaus Drechsler, who have contributed to the expansion of existing collections, deserve special mention. New talents such as Theo Boettger and Steffen Mertens also enrich the collection and show that Lausitz is not only a region of change, but also a place of creative creativity.

Of course, the structural change in Lusatia also plays a major role in other areas. In the Lusatian lignite mining area, the second largest mining area in Germany, the phase-out of coal-fired power generation is planned by 2038 at the latest. Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke recently confirmed this in order to ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply. In Cottbus, the largest city in the region, a new Deutsche Bahn railway maintenance facility is being built in which one billion euros will be invested - a clear sign of change and commitment to the future of the region.

Switch to renewable energy and innovations

However, Lusatia is not only changing due to the closure of coal mining. In Jänschwalde, for example, three open-cast mining lakes are being built for renewable energies. Far from old paths, innovative companies like Sonocrete show what progress can be made in the building materials industry - their process reduces the amount of cement and reduces CO₂ emissions by 30%. In addition, the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus-Senftenberg is conducting research into lightweight railway couplings and hydrogen storage, which should play a central role in the sustainable mobility transition.

In conclusion, it can be said that Lusatia is changing. Art meets new technologies and a common goal of making the region sustainable and future-proof. The ongoing developments in culture and economy are a clear indication that history is not only being preserved here, but that the future is also being actively worked on. It remains exciting to see what creative and innovative solutions will emerge from this region.

For more information about the special exhibition, please visit rbb24, further details about past exhibitions can be found at Museum Explorer and take a look at the transformation of Lusatia Superillus.